P. K. Rosy (10 February 1903 – 1988) was an Indian actress in Malayalam cinema. She is the first actress in Malayalam cinema. She starred in the J. C. Daniel film Vigathakumaran, for which she was targeted by an angry mob because of her caste.
Poulose Kunji Rosy | |
|---|---|
 Rosy in 1928 | |
| Born | 10 February 1903[1] Thycaud, Trivandrum |
| Died | 1988 (aged 84–85)[1] |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1928–1930 |
| Spouse | Kesava Pillai[1] |
| Children | 2 |
Early life edit
She was born as Rajamma, on 10 February 1903 at Nandankode Trivandrum to a Pulaya Christian family. Rosy's father Poulose was the cook of the foreign missionary parker of LMS church. Her father died when she was young leaving her family in poverty. She also regularly went to the local school of performing arts to study Kakkarissi Natakam.[2][3]
Rosy's love for acting seems to have surpassed concerns she may have held for what the elements of society would call her.[4]
Of the origin of her name "Rosy," many claim her family converted to Christianity and changed her name from Rajamma to Rosamma.[5][6][3][7] Rosy and her husband did not disclose her past to anyone. Their children, while aware of some details, now live as Nairs (their father's caste).[8]
Career edit
By 1928, she performed Kakkirasi, harvest songs and folk songs formed under the association of artists called "Cheramar Kalavedi" which became a training ground for entering into the yard of the Temple of art. The Kakkarasi drama troupe and Rajah Party Drama Troop competed with each other for Rosamma, this competition enhanced the star value of the actress Rosamma. From this, she stepped in to become the heroine of JC Daniel's film after his first prospective heroine proved unsuited for the role.[3] She played the character of Sarojini, a Nair woman, in the movie.[9] When Vigathukumaran was released, members of the Nair community were enraged to see a Dalit woman portray a Nair. Many eminent members of the film industry at the time refused to come and inaugurate the opening of Vigathakumaran if Rosy was to be physically present there, including the famous lawyer Madhoor Govindan Pillai. Following a scene in which the main character kissed a flower in her hair, the audience threw stones at the screen. The director, Daniel, himself didn't invite her to the opening at Capitol theatre in Thiruvananthapuram, fearing a backlash but Rosy had attended anyway but was still made to watch a second showing by those boycotting the event. The crowd transformed into an angry mob which tore down the screen and damaged the theatre.[10] Eventually, Rosy had to flee.[11]
Legacy edit
The story of the film was first rediscovered in the late 1960s by Chelangatt Gopalakrishnan while in 1971 Kunnukuzhi published his first article about her.[citation needed]
In 2013, Kamal directed a biopic on Daniel. The film is partially based on the novel Nashta Naayika by Vinu Abraham, and also deals with the life of Rosy. Newcomer Chandni Geetha portrays her.[12][3] Two other films about her life have also been made: The Lost Child and Ithu Rosiyude Katha (This is Rosy’s Story).[11] Women in Cinema Collective " WCC" which has been striving to make the workspace better for women in cinema launched Film society in Tribute to P K Rosy[13] P K Rosy Smaraka Samithi [further explanation needed] was inaugurated by Cinema Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan at Press Club.[14]
On 10 February 2023, Google honoured Rosy with a doodle, on the occasion of her 120th birthday.[15]
References edit
- ^ a b c "P K Rosy & the History Behind". Archived from the original on 11 July 2011. Retrieved 22 March 2019.
- ^ "Locating P K Rosy: Can A Dalit Woman Play a Nair Role in Malayalam Cinema Today?". Savari. 23 February 2013. Archived from the original on 2 August 2017. Retrieved 5 June 2017.
- ^ a b c d Rajendran, Sowmya (19 September 2019). "PK Rosy's story: How Malayalam cinema's first woman actor was forced to leave the state". The News Minute. Archived from the original on 20 September 2019. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
- ^ Pillai, Meena T. "The daughters of P.K. Rosy". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 19 October 2020. Retrieved 5 June 2017.
- ^ Harikrishnan, Charmy (14 August 2016). "The return of Dalit heroine in Malayalam cinema Alia bhatt". The Economic Times. Archived from the original on 26 March 2019. Retrieved 22 March 2019.
- ^ Chelangad, Saju (24 November 2013). "The forgotten star". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 25 February 2020. Retrieved 22 March 2019 – via www.thehindu.com.
- ^ "The Name of the Rose | the Big Indian Picture". Archived from the original on 25 March 2017. Retrieved 20 May 2017.
- ^ "PK Rosy's story: How Malayalam cinema's first woman actor was forced to leave the state". 19 September 2019.
- ^ Sebastian, Meryl Mary (June 2013). "The Name of the Rose". TBIP. Archived from the original on 25 March 2017. Retrieved 20 May 2017.
- ^ "Against all odds: How J.C. Daniel, Father of Malayalam cinema, made his first and last movie". March 2017.
- ^ a b "The Name of the Rose | The Big Indian Picture". thebigindianpicture.com. Archived from the original on 25 March 2017. Retrieved 5 June 2017.
- ^ Manalethu, Biju Cheriyan (22 January 2016). "Chandini Geetha - Film Actress, Singer". Cinetrooth. Archived from the original on 31 March 2017. Retrieved 20 May 2017.
- ^ "WCC launches film society after Kerala's first woman actor PK Rosy".
- ^ "Rosy Smaraka Samithi Launch".
- ^ "P.K. Rosy's 120th Birthday". www.google.com. Archived from the original on 10 February 2023. Retrieved 9 February 2023.